Richard G. Poulson, labor attorney and partner at Willig, Williams & Davidson, represents the Fraternal Order of Police Fort Pitt Lodge No. 1 (FOP) in a legal battle with the City of Pittsburgh over wages.

This case stems from a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that expired in 2014. The FOP and the City were unable to reach an agreement on a new CBA. They engaged in arbitration under the Act Governing Collective Bargaining by Policemen or Firemen (Act 111), concluding with the arbitration board issuing an award. The raises approved by the arbitration panel provided no increase to members in the first year, and then increases of 1, 2 and 2 percent in each following year.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court argument focused on whether the arbitration panel made a mistake when setting raises for Pittsburgh police officers and weather the FOP followed the appropriate appeal process after the arbitration decision.

Poulson argued that the arbitration panel’s decision deviates from Act 47 which is the Commonwealth’s law that allows the FOB to appeal to the Commonwealth Court where Poulson argued that the officers are entitled to competitive wages.